Erin Van Rheenen: Costa Rica

When I arrived in Costa Rica in 2001, I didn’t realize I was embarking on a lifelong relationship with that country. Researching Living Abroad in Costa Rica took me from coast to coast and everywhere in between, as I sought out expats and locals, surfers, shopkeepers, and government officials.  I’m also the author of Costa Rica Trip Ideas, an itinerary-based app, and The Manatee’s Big Day, a science-based, bilingual children’s book.

Contemplating a move to Costa Rica? See my “Top 10 Things to Know if You’re Thinking About Moving to Costa Rica” and these trip ideas for the aspiring expat.

Besides living in Costa Rica, I spent two years in Quito, Ecuador, and a year in Oaxaca, Mexico. My articles on Latin America have been widely published, with subjects ranging from a macaw rescue center to a young filmmaker’s first feature. I’ve been interviewed about everything from moving abroad in general to the “Google border war” between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. And I’ve been a consultant for businesses and individuals looking to relocate.

I’m seeking representation for a novel that draws on my time in Latin America. In part it marks the travel writer in me turning to fiction to tell a deeper truth about place. See more on my Creative Writing page.